Tuesday’s zoning hearing by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners included impassioned statements about religious rights, but in the end, the board voted to deny a Romani Gypsy family the ability to open a psychic reading business in Smyrna.

Neighbors opposed to the psychic reader shop were confused and did not realize the unanimous decision by the board had gone in their favor.

In 2010, Michael McMillen and his son, Justin, purchased the less than a quarter-acre parcel on the east side of Atlanta Road, south of Paces Ferry Road.

The McMillen’s attorney, James Balli, said at Tuesday’s meeting the owners wanted to use the space for religious-based counseling, specifically psychic readings.

Balli said the business would be “very low impact” with operating hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday by appointment only, with no overnight parking.

The board’s decision will not allow for the applicants’ desired use of the land.

Instead, the property — has been unoccupied for years — will now have a clear direction on the type of business the county and surrounding community will support.

The rezoning of the property was based on the physical limitations of the vacant property, according to Commissioner Bob Ott.

Alternative list

At the end of his Tuesday presentation, Balli provided a list to the Board of Commissioners of alternative uses for the property, in case the request for a psychic reading establishment would be denied.

Ott said the zoning approval did not come with a list of businesses that are excluded, only what is allowed.

The list did not include psychic reading or psychological counseling.

Balli said the owners plan to renovate the building, which contains a metal structure once used as an auto service center.

With Tuesday’s zoning change, the owners can continue plans to remodel the building into a professional office, with a new brick or stucco exterior, in the hope of renting to a tenant for one of the listed businesses the board approved.

The list included items such as a law, medical or insurance office, an accounting or tax preparation business, a photography studio, a travel bureau, a florist or jewelry store.

Community outcry

The area around the controversial property consists mainly of residential housing, including the Paces Park subdivision directly behind the lot.

A toxic waste dump landfill couldn't make Atlanta Rd in Smyrna any worse than it is now, so what exactly IS the bias against a silly psychic readings store? It's just stupid people taking money from stupider people, no different than a car or gun dealership, except that nobody is walking out of a psychic readings place with a new destructive device in their hands

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